Another shock thread, but SHOWA

[rdprdp01]

Hey Rdprdp01,
Ramblings of a bored old man follow...
Many owners have ridden huge mileage and are satisfied with the standard rear shocks. If it aint broke, don't fix it comes to mind. Although the stock shocks were comfortable they were a little under damped causing the occasional wallow so I went the other way and changed stuff just for the fun of it. My relevant learnings from an 'upgrade' of rear suspension are summarised below.
- no matter how fast you think you are we are street riders on the street, not racers on a track.
- aftermarket 'performance' suspension is usually focused for racing / track application.
- tracks are relatively smooth without the potholes and sharp edge bumps of streets.
- racing / track application suspension needs to manage braking, cornering and acceleration loads the occasional ripple or undulations but not potholes.
- adjustable suspension (preload, compression and rebound) is usually limited to the 'low speed' dampening and often via small / thin valved bypass openings.
- performance shocks 'high speed' dampening is usually relatively heavily damped as required to manage cornering loads.
- performance shocks look cool but even when correctly sprung for rider and bike weight they may not be ideal for rough streets.
- my performance shocks required re-valving to dramatically reduce high speed dampening.
- my shocks now run 0 weight fluid at zero rebound and zero compression dampening settings to achieve adequate comfort on the street.

Upgrading suspension is worthwhile however best results for street application may come from aftermarket shocks intended for street riding not track riding. As a bonus they may be the cheaper option.

Good luck with your project

Thank you for the benefit of your experience, insight, and dare I say wisdom. I try to subscribe to the don’t fix it if ain’t broken way of life, particularly when it comes to motorcycling. I tracked perfectly with everything you said and have opted to leave well enough alone. I think I may have been caught up in the motorcycle hype about better suspension leads to a better riding experience.

My motorcycle handles very well when I am driving like the old man I am or when I feel the need to use the horse power and cornering capabilities engineered into every part of the motorcycle. I am neither tired or sore when I dismount the bikes, too. Clearly, it ain’t broke or me either.

25 years ago, I was fortunate to spend six months working in Melbourne. I love the people who adopted me like an awkward cousin who was clueless about everything. My natural drawl courtesy of the Southern United States endeared me to the locals who found it both odd and charming that I was quiet, polite, and respectful. I still remember the beauty of the Great Ocean Road and the genuine warmth and kindness of the Aussies who made sure I saw the real Australia. Cheers, mate. David

i agree, race shocks aren't needed. shocks wear over time, the oil wears out, its a service item. Mos tpeople as stated, gradually get used to it and think they are just fine. The trick is to learn what a sacked out shock (or fork) feels like. Like said, mine were getting wallowy at 10k or so. when i realized it i was in the mts with my wife on the back.. and yes, riding fast. now, 99% of the time you wont feel it. However, IF you hit a bad section of road and you have a 'comfy' but worn shock, not riding fast or spiritied, its too late. It is a safety item. But it also ergonomically will help over time when the suspension does what its supposed to do.

MinSC, I read all of your posts. I am particularly grateful for this one because it provides practical, pragmatic advise about what to look for and when to act. I have come to believe you have the heart of a racer even if age and maturity keeps that throttle in check. Safety is my primary concern given the health issues I have spent the last six months navigated. That said, the best medicine I have taken and the things which motivated me through the worst of rehab was the promise of the lovely exhaust note of a CB1100EX moving from the 3rd to 4th which just a little nudge. Thanks for taking the time to write the post. David

I'd say as you already have a '17 which has the dual bending valve forks...and you only weigh 150lbs- I'd probably just keep the stock rear shocks in that situation.

Copy that. I have also read many of your others posts. One that stands out is a recent post you made about the likelihood of a master link snapping on a chain. That healthy skepticism was both amusing and included a cautionary warning to not get caught up in the bulls*** that a Google search may deliver or if someone begins a statement with “I knew a guy . . .” Brilliant stuff. David